FMB donates K28m to safe motherhood project
Although a significant advance has been made in the fight against infant mortality over the last few years, progress in reducing maternal mortality still has a long way to go.
Traditional barriers and lack of motivation among mothers to get medical treatments in health centres has exacerbated the problem.
In order to encourage women to give birth in health centres, FMB has joined hands with government in the fight against infant and maternal mortality.
President Joyce Banda presided over the ground-breaking ceremony for the Safe Motherhood Waiting Home for expectant mothers at Nkhata Bay District Hospital recently. FMB is sponsoring the project to the tune of K28 million (about $70 000).
“These homes are part of the Presidential Initiative on Safe Motherhood to curb maternal and infant mortality arising from pregnant women not making it to hospitals for delivery in good time.
“With the availability of waiting homes, women are able to get to hospitals closer to their delivery dates and wait in the homes until date of delivery,” stated Sylvia Mataka, FMB head of marketing.
She further said that the organisation felt compelled to be part of this initiative especially looking at the statics which indicate that maternal mortality remains at 675 per 100 000 live births in the country.
